Thomas Ellison
Thomas Rangiwahia Ellison, also known as Tom Ellison (11 November 1867—2 October 1904) was a New Zealand rugby union player and lawyer. He led the first New Zealand representative rugby team organised by the New Zealand Rugby Union on their 1893 tour of Australia.
Born in Otakou, Otago, Ellison was the first Māori to practise as a solicitor after studying at Te Aute College. At the first General Meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union, Ellison proposed that the playing colours of the Union should be black with a silver fern. He was the author of a coaching manual, The Art of Rugby Football in 1902. In 1892, he originated the wing forward system of play which was a vital element of New Zealand's rugby success until the 1930s.
Ellison died in Wellington in 1904.
In 2005 Ellison was listed on as one of New Zealand's Top 100 History Makers.
References
External links
- Tom Ellison biography, by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage
- Tom Ellison biography, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography
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